Northampton Town: Keith Curle sacked as Cobblers manager
- Published
Bristol-born Keith Curle is a former England international defender
League One side Northampton Town have parted company with manager Keith Curle and his assistant Colin West.
The Cobblers are 23rd in the table with just six wins and 20 goals from their 26 matches so far.
Chairman Kelvin Thomas said: "Our results and lack of goals have left us in a very difficult position. We have a huge amount of respect for Keith and Colin but feel a change is required."
Under-18s coach Jon Brady has been placed in caretaker charge.
He will be assisted by Ian Sampson and Marc Richards.
Curle, 57, was appointed in October 2018 and won promotion from League Two via the play-offs last season.
Thomas said the club will always owe Curle and West "a debt of gratitude for the promotion they achieved".
He added: "Keith and Colin leave with our thanks and our best wishes and their time at the club will go down as a success, especially managing us through the difficult period of Covid-19."
Former England, Wimbledon and Manchester City defender Curle joined Northampton after three and a half years as Carlisle United boss and has also managed Mansfield Town, Chester, Torquay United and Notts County.
'Curle leaves a respected man' - Analysis
Jake Sharpe, BBC Radio Northampton sports presenter
The club's decision to sack Keith Curle took nobody by surprise. A poor defeat by relegation rivals Wigan on Tuesday night, coupled with just one goal in the past seven games, left the club with a decision to make.
The Cobblers are not adrift at the bottom of the table, it's only goal difference that keeps them in the relegation zone. But it is the goals for column that needs to be improved with the side the lowest scorers in the division.
Curle leaves the club a respected man having guided them to promotion through the League Two play-offs in the unlikeliest of circumstances last summer.
But there is no room for sentiment in football and the focus switches to Saturday with a massive game against bottom side Burton Albion - managed by the last Cobblers manager to be sacked in League One, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.